Holiday Deep Cleaning: 14 Hidden Spots Guests Notice That Most People Forget

Holiday deep cleaning does not mean scrubbing every inch of your house. It means hitting the hidden spots that make a home smell stale or look a little tired, the ones most of us forget until a guest is standing right there. Lots of people were surprised by this story about the hidden washing machine filter, and it is just one of many. Below are 14 spots to tackle before the family arrives. Most fixes use baking soda, vinegar, dish soap and an old toothbrush. Some even help your appliances run better and cost less. Ready to get your home guest ready..

Holiday Deep Cleaning: The Range Hood Grease Filter

Look up above your stove. That metal screen in the range hood traps grease every time you cook, and after a year it gets sticky and smells like old bacon. The good news is it pops right out. Push the little tab and slide it down. Fill your sink with the hottest tap water you have, add a good squirt of dish soap and half a cup of baking soda, then let the filter soak for 20 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft brush and rinse. Watch the brown water, you will be amazed. Let it dry before you click it back in. Your kitchen will smell fresher right before the big holiday cooking days. What a way to start..

You will need: dish soap, half a cup of baking soda, a soft brush, a sink or large tub of hot water, a towel.

How to make it: 1. Pop the filter out of the hood. 2. Fill the sink with hot water, soap and baking soda. 3. Soak for 20 minutes and scrub. 4. Rinse, dry and click it back in.

The Washer Filter Nobody Knows About

Did you know most front load washers have a hidden filter? It sits behind a little door near the bottom front corner, and it catches coins, hair ties, lint and gunk. When it clogs, the washer drains slowly and starts to smell musty. Unplug the machine first. Lay down an old towel and set a shallow tray under the panel, since some water will come out. Open the door, slowly twist the filter out and let it drain. Then rinse the filter in warm soapy water and scrub it with an old toothbrush. Twist it back in snugly. Check your manual for the exact spot. It takes ten minutes and could save you a repair bill.

You will need: an old towel, a shallow baking tray, an old toothbrush, warm soapy water, your washer manual.

How to make it: 1. Unplug the washer. 2. Set a towel and tray under the front panel. 3. Twist out the filter and let water drain. 4. Scrub, rinse and twist it back in tight.

Fridge Coils and the Drip Pan

Your refrigerator has coils that release heat, and they collect a surprising amount of dust and pet hair. When they are dusty, the fridge works harder and uses more power. On many models they sit behind the kick plate at the bottom front. Unplug the fridge, pop off that plate and use a long coil brush and a vacuum crevice tool to pull out the fluff. Some fridges also have a drip pan under there. Slide it out carefully, wash it in warm soapy water and dry it. Snap the plate back on and plug the fridge in. This holiday deep cleaning job can make your fridge run better during the busiest food weeks of the year. Who knew dust bunnies cost money?

You will need: a long coil brush, a vacuum with a crevice tool, warm soapy water, a cloth.

How to make it: 1. Unplug the fridge and remove the kick plate. 2. Brush and vacuum the coils. 3. Slide out and wash the drip pan if you have one. 4. Replace the plate and plug it back in.

Holiday Deep Cleaning for the Dryer Vent

You probably clean the lint screen every load. But lint also sneaks past the screen and builds up in the slot below it and in the vent hose behind the dryer. That makes loads take longer and wastes energy. Unplug the dryer first. Pull out the screen and slide a long flexible lint brush down into the slot, then vacuum up what comes loose. Next, pull the dryer out a little, loosen the clamp on the vent hose with a screwdriver and clean it out with the brush. Check the outside vent flap too and clear any fluff. Put everything back snugly. With all those holiday towels and sheets to wash, you will be glad your loads dry faster.

You will need: a dryer lint brush kit, a vacuum hose, a screwdriver.

How to make it: 1. Unplug the dryer and remove the screen. 2. Brush and vacuum the lint slot. 3. Loosen the vent hose clamp and brush the hose. 4. Clear the outside flap and reconnect.

Dishwasher Filter and Spray Arms

If your dishwasher leaves gritty spots or smells funny, the filter is probably full. Most newer models have a round filter in the bottom you can twist out by hand. Pull out the bottom rack, twist the filter counterclockwise and lift it out. Rinse it under warm water and scrub gently with a soft brush. Then look at the spray arms. If the little holes are clogged, poke them clear with a toothpick. Put everything back, set a cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run a hot empty cycle. The machine comes out fresh and ready for the mountain of holiday plates, which makes this a smart holiday deep cleaning step. Have you ever cleaned yours? Most people never have.

You will need: a soft brush, toothpicks, a cup of white vinegar.

How to make it: 1. Pull out the bottom rack and twist out the filter. 2. Rinse and brush it clean. 3. Clear spray arm holes with a toothpick. 4. Run a hot cycle with vinegar on the top rack.

Grout Lines That Look New Again

Dingy grout makes a clean kitchen or bathroom look dirty, and guests see it up close when they wash their hands. You do not need fancy cleaners. Mix baking soda with a little water until it looks like toothpaste. Spread it along the grout lines with your finger or an old spoon. Spritz it with a little water from a spray bottle and let it sit for ten minutes. Then scrub with a grout brush or a stiff toothbrush, working in small sections. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. The difference can be huge, especially on white tile. Grout is the holiday deep cleaning task most people skip, but it costs pennies. Put on some music and it goes fast.

You will need: baking soda, water, a small bowl, a grout brush or stiff toothbrush, a spray bottle, a damp cloth.

How to make it: 1. Mix baking soda and water into a paste. 2. Spread it on the grout lines. 3. Mist with water and wait ten minutes. 4. Scrub and wipe clean.

Ceiling Fan Blades the Pillowcase Way

Cleaning ceiling fans usually means dust raining down all over your couch and floor. Here is the smarter way. Turn the fan off and wait until it stops. Grab an old pillowcase and a sturdy step stool. Slide the pillowcase over one blade, press it gently from above and below, then slowly pull it back toward you. The dust stays inside the pillowcase instead of falling. Repeat for each blade, then shake the pillowcase outside and toss it in the wash. Finish with a damp microfiber cloth. It takes about five minutes and is the easiest holiday deep cleaning win on the list. Guests sitting on your sofa will look up at some point, and now they will see clean blades instead of gray fuzz.

You will need: an old pillowcase, a sturdy step stool, a damp microfiber cloth.

How to make it: 1. Turn off the fan and let it stop. 2. Slide the pillowcase over a blade. 3. Press and pull it back slowly. 4. Repeat and wipe with a damp cloth.

Holiday Deep Cleaning for Baseboards

Baseboards and door frames are dust magnets, and they are right at eye level for kids and pets. You can clean them without crawling around on your knees. Slip a damp clean sock over the end of a grabber tool or a long-handled duster and run it along the boards. For the tops of door frames, use a microfiber cloth. Here is the bonus trick: wipe everything one more time with a used dryer sheet. It leaves a thin coating that helps dust slide off, so the boards stay cleaner longer. Do one room at a time and you will finish the whole house in under an hour. Your back will thank you for this one.

You will need: a grabber tool or long-handled duster, a clean sock, microfiber cloths, used dryer sheets.

How to make it: 1. Slip a damp sock onto the grabber. 2. Run it along each baseboard. 3. Wipe door frames with microfiber. 4. Finish with a dryer sheet.

Light Switches, Knobs and Handles

Think about how many hands touch your light switches, door knobs and cabinet handles during a holiday party. These spots get grimy fast, and smudges show up on white switch plates. Make a gentle cleaning spray with one part rubbing alcohol and one part water in a small spray bottle. Do not spray directly on the switch. Instead, mist a soft cloth and wipe the plate, then use a cotton swab dipped in the mix to get around the edges. Do the same for door knobs, the fridge handle, the microwave buttons and drawer pulls. It dries fast and leaves no streaks. Ten minutes of holiday deep cleaning and every spot guests touch is clean and shiny.

You will need: rubbing alcohol, water, a small spray bottle, a soft cloth, cotton swabs.

How to make it: 1. Mix equal parts alcohol and water in a spray bottle. 2. Mist a cloth, not the switch. 3. Wipe plates, knobs and handles. 4. Use a swab around the edges.

Holiday Deep Cleaning for a Stronger Shower

Is your shower more of a sad drizzle? Mineral build up is probably clogging the little holes in the shower head. Your guests will notice, especially in the morning rush. Here is an easy overnight fix. Fill a zip bag about half full with white vinegar. Pull it up around the shower head so the face is fully under the vinegar, then wrap a rubber band or a hair tie around the neck to hold it. Leave it overnight. In the morning, take the bag off, scrub the nozzles with an old toothbrush and run hot water for a minute. You will see the spray come back strong. No tools and no need to take anything apart.

You will need: a zip bag, white vinegar, a rubber band or hair tie, an old toothbrush.

How to make it: 1. Fill a zip bag halfway with vinegar. 2. Pull it over the shower head. 3. Secure it with a rubber band and leave overnight. 4. Remove, scrub and run hot water.

Couch and Throw Pillow Refresh

The couch is where everyone ends up after dinner, so give it a little love. Fabric sofas soak up smells from cooking, pets and everyday life. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the cushions and the seat underneath. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or a few hours if you can. Then vacuum it all up with the upholstery tool. For throw pillows with removable covers, wash the covers. For the rest, toss them in the dryer on low with a couple of wool dryer balls for ten minutes to fluff them up and shake out dust. Always check the care tag first. Your living room will smell fresh and look plump and inviting, and this holiday deep cleaning trick costs about a dollar.

You will need: baking soda, a vacuum with an upholstery tool, wool dryer balls.

How to make it: 1. Sprinkle baking soda on cushions. 2. Wait 30 minutes or longer. 3. Vacuum it all up. 4. Fluff pillows in the dryer on low with dryer balls.

Holiday Deep Cleaning for Window Tracks

Window tracks and sills hide a gross mix of dust, dead bugs and grime, and guests notice them when they open a window or look outside. Start by vacuuming up the loose stuff with a crevice tool. Then sprinkle a little baking soda into the track and spray it with white vinegar. It will fizz and loosen the dirt. Wait five minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush. For tight corners, wrap a butter knife in a thin cloth and run it along the groove. Wipe it all out with a damp paper towel. The tracks will look almost new, and the windows will slide more easily too. Isn’t it satisfying to see the before and after?

You will need: a vacuum crevice tool, baking soda, a spray bottle of white vinegar, an old toothbrush, a butter knife, a thin cloth.

How to make it: 1. Vacuum loose dirt. 2. Sprinkle baking soda and spray vinegar. 3. Scrub with a toothbrush after five minutes. 4. Wipe corners with a cloth-wrapped knife.

Garbage Disposal and Sink Drain Freshener

Before the big cooking days, freshen your kitchen sink so it does not greet guests with a funky smell. First, pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, then a cup of white vinegar. Let it fizz for ten minutes and rinse with hot water. Next, make citrus ice cubes: fill an ice cube tray with small pieces of lemon peel, top with white vinegar and freeze. If you have a disposal, drop a few cubes in with cold water running and turn it on. The ice knocks off gunk and the lemon leaves a clean smell. Never put your hand in the disposal. A bowl of the cubes in the freezer lasts all season.

You will need: lemon peels, an ice cube tray, white vinegar, baking soda.

How to make it: 1. Pour baking soda, then vinegar down the drain. 2. Wait ten minutes and rinse with hot water. 3. Freeze lemon peel in vinegar ice cubes. 4. Run a few cubes through the disposal with cold water.

Entryway and Coat Closet Reset

The entryway is the very first thing guests see, so finish your holiday deep cleaning right here. Clear off the clutter, then wipe down the front door, the knob and the door frame. Sweep and mop the floor, and shake out or wash the doormat. Set a boot tray by the door so wet shoes have a home. Empty a few coat hooks or add some removable ones so guests can hang their coats without hunting for a spot. A small basket for hats and gloves is a nice touch. When everything is clear, the whole house feels calmer and cleaner the second people walk in. Doesn’t that sound like a great way to welcome everyone?

You will need: a boot tray, extra hooks, a doormat, a small basket, a mop, a cloth.

How to make it: 1. Clear clutter and wipe the door and knob. 2. Sweep, mop and refresh the doormat. 3. Set out a boot tray. 4. Empty hooks and add a basket for hats.